Cougar Gymnasts Strong on Vault as Season Ends at Regionals

Darrin Bates | BYU Athletic Communications | Posted Apr 8, 2006

Sierra Jacobs tied her career high on Vault to lead the Cougars to their highest score of the season on the event. BYU faced tough competition and judging though as its season came to an end at the North Central Regional in Ames, Iowa Saturday Night. (Photo by Mark Philbrick/BYU Photo)

AMES -- The BYU gymnastics team concluded its season with its best vault score of the year, but found itself on the short end against tough competition and judging to bring its season to a close at the North Central Regional Saturday night at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.

The North Central Region was likely the toughest Region in the country with all six competing teams ranked in the Top 25. Being a postseason meet as well, the Cougars and the rest of the squads faced tough judging throughout the competition. Arizona State took home first-place honors (196.725) with Iowa State (195.675) second, followed by Arizona (195.400), Denver (195.250), Minnesota (194.675) and BYU (192.125).

"It was a tough way to end the season," BYU coach Brad Cattermole said. "We're a much better team than what we showed."

BYU started off with a bye in its first rotation before taking to the bars, which was a thorn in the Cougars' side as they had to count two falls on the event. Kylee Draper led the way at 9.675.

Beam was next where they were able to bounce back a little bit with a better showing despite counting a rare fall from Dayna Smart. Kandis Kelly led the way at 9.775 with Kacie Capra adding a 9.725 and Lisa Willis 9.700 for BYU.

The Cougars then had a bye before hitting the floor. Capra led the way with a team-best 9.800. Willis also had a strong performance at 9.725 while Draper added a 9.675.

BYU then broke through on vault to end the night. The Cougars tied their season-high 49.000 on the event as every gymnast turned in a strong performance and two recorded career and season highs. Capra recorded her third-highest score of the season at 9.625 to start things off before Sierra Jacobs landed a career-high 9.850. Brittany Fischer then vaulted to the second-best score of her career at 9.725. Hayley Jensen then pitched in a 9.750 before Alethea Boon notched a season-high 9.825. Dayna Smart rounded things off with her second-highest score of the season at 9.850. Jacobs and Smart tied for fourth place on the event.

"The girls did very well on vault," Cattermole said. "I was pleased to see them go out and end things on a strong note."

Arizona State's Ashley Kelly took home first-place honors in a deep and talented group of all-arounders at 39.525. ISU's Erin Delthoff was second at 39.400. Capra was BYU's lone all-around competitor at 38.000.

For the Cougars, it marked the final meet of her career for senior Jennifer Harvey-Matthews. Matthews, a walk-on three years ago, exhibitioned on bars for three years before making the bars line-up in BYU's fourth meet this season. Her strong performances from then on helped the Cougars to their seventh-consecutive Regionals appearance this year.

BYU returns every Regionals competitor except Matthews next season while hoping to get Aimee Walker Pond and Haleigh Schofield healthy. Cattermole will count on that experience to make a strong push for an appearance at Nationals next season.

"This season was a good experience builder for our young team," Cattermole said. "It gave them experience and showed them what they need to do to be successful next year. We'll reload and go at it strong next season."